A Park Made By Birds

Posted On December 1, 2009

Common Info

Point Pelee is one of the best birdwatching places in eastern Canada. More than 370 species of birds have been recorded in Point Pelee and its adjoining areas. It is not only a stop-over for migratory avifauna species but also a breeding habitat for some of the most rare species in Canada, thanks to its Carolinian Forest.

Country Info

Canada is the world’s second largest country (Area: 9,98,4670 square kilometres) and is located in the northern parts of North America. It is flanked by Atlantic Ocean in the east and Pacific Ocean in the west while in the north it extends into Arctic Ocean. In the south it borders the United States. The national capital is Ottawa.

Ontario

Ontario is the second largest province of Canada located in the east-central part of the continent. It is bordered by Manitobe province in the west and Quebec to the east. Also five US states of Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania border Ontario. Capital of Ontario is Toronto.

Point Pelee National Park

It is located in southwestern Ontario in Canada. The park which is 15 square kilometres in area consists of a peninsula which is mainly features marshy and woodland habitats and also touches Lake Eerie. Point Pelee is the southernmost point of mainland China. Birder’s World Magazine has declared the park as one of the top 15 birding spots in North America in October 2002.

Flora and fauna Features

Point Pelee National Park features marshlands that are home to frogs, fishes, turtles, snakes, fies and various insects
Trees like red cedars, willows, cottonwoods, honey locusts and hop trees
Swamps that have duckweed, blue flag, loosestrife, joe-pye weed and other types of plants as. Spring peepers,a thumbnail-sized frog is also found in the swamps.
Fall web worm caterpillars that build huge white tangles on tree tops
Cactus
Warmouth fish
North American moles
Fox snake
Beaches

Bird species found in Pelee

American Avocet
Bitterns
Blackbirds
Bluebirds
Brown Pelican
Canvasback
Black-caped Chickadee
Sandhill Crane
Red Crossbill
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Long-billed Dowitcher
Ducks
Eagles
Egrets
Flycatchers
Flinches
Hawks
Herons
Ibis
Mockingbirds
Grackles
Gulls
Mallards
Grebes
Magpies
Woodcocks
Terns
Sandpipers
Sparrows
Warblers
Yellowthroats

Bird migration at Point Pelee

Spring Migration

Point Pelee National Park is famous for the northward migration of songbirds. The most significant part of the spring migration is the arrival of the migrating warblers, so much so that it has known to be the ‘Warbler capital of North America’. Birders can even get glimpse of the southern warblers. Hilman Marsh Conservation Area, Kopegaron Woods Conservation Area are some of the other places adjacent Point Pelee from where birders can watch several species.

Autumn Migration

Huge number of migratory birds visits the Point Pelee during autumn. The autumn migration is not as frenzied as like the spring migration. Greater yellowlegs and yellow-rumped warblers are generally sighted during the autumn migration that takes place in late June and mid-December. Golden eagle, red-necked phalarope, long-billed dowitcher and others are some of the birds that are spotted around this time.

Monarch Migration

Point Pelee also temporarily hosts several migratory monarch butterflies. Pelee helps these butterflies during their long long trip southwards by providing them nesting opportunities in the park.

Reaching Point Pelee

Pelee National Park is not very far from Windsor/Detroit border. In Windsor at the tunnel exit, 0ne has to turn left on to Park Street. From their again taking left turn will reach one into Ouellette Avenue. Thereafer, one has to travel southwards on Ouellette Avenue, which becomes Dougall, till it ends. Exiting right thereafter for Howard Avenue and travelling further south until one reaches Highway 3. Follow Highway #3 for approximately 35-45 minutes. One will see two exit points for Leamington. One has to take the second exit for Erie Street. Take turn right into Erie Street and travel through eight intersection. At the ninth intersection turn left and after driving approximately a 1 km, one can see a large Point Pelee National Park sign indicating a right turn. Taking right turn therefrom and following the road for approximately 10 minutes would take one to the park.

Accommodation at Pelee

Pelee days Inn
Comfort Inn
Airport Motel
EconoLodge
Ambassador Motels

Time to visit the park

The month of May is the best time to visit Pelee Point.

Activities at Pelee

Birdwatching. There are certain rules one has to keep in mind while making birdwatching trip. Intimidating or cornering a bird, playing recorders or following trails beyond those designated amount to violation of birdwatching etiquette.
Canoeing/Kayaking
Photography tours
Self trails
Walking trails
Picnic at White Pine picnic shelter
Bicycling
Swimming

Contact

Point Pelee National Park of Canada, 407 Monarch Lane, RR 1, Leamington, Ontario, Canada, N8H 3V4, Phone: 519-322-2365, Toll Free: 1-888-773-8888, Email: pelee.info@pc.gc.ca